Project description:AimSevere postoperative pleural effusion (sPOPE) after hepatectomy can lead to respiratory distress and may require thoracic drainage, leading to prolonged hospitalization. Preventive chest tube insertion may be useful for patients at high risk for sPOPE. We aimed to develop a predictive model for sPOPE after hepatectomy and evaluate indications for preventive chest tube insertion using our model.MethodsWe evaluated all patients who underwent hepatectomy from 2013 to 2020. Risk factors for sPOPE were used to develop a predictive model for sPOPE, which was validated in a cohort that received preventative chest tube placement postoperatively.ResultsA total of 325 patients were analyzed. Thirty-one (9.5%) patients had a preventive chest tube placed at the end of their operation. Twenty-one patients out of the remaining 294 patients developed sPOPE. Multivariate analysis identified resection containing segment 8 [relative risk (RR) 3.24, P = .022], intraoperative bleeding ≥ 500 g (RR 4.02, P = .008), intraoperative diaphragmatic incision (RR 6.96, P = .042) and open hepatectomy (RR 7.51, P = .016) as independently associated with sPOPE. The estimated probability of sPOPE ranged from 0.4% in patients with none of these factors to 73.4% in the presence of all factors. Among the 31 patients who received a preventive chest tube, more patients in the high-risk group defined by the model had postoperative pleural effusions compared to the low-risk group (P = .012).ConclusionOur predictive model for sPOPE using four risk factors allows for reliable prediction and may be useful for selection of preventive chest tube in patients undergoing hepatectomy.
Project description:BackgroundPleural effusion (PE) is a common clinical feature that presents a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. In this retrospective study, we aimed to assess the biomarkers, ratios, and multiple indicators in serum and Pleural effusion for the differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) from non-tuberculosis effusion (non-TPE).MethodsThe participants, who were divided into two groups: TPE and non-TPE (MPE and PPE), from Ningbo First Hospital, were incorporated in this study. The clinical and laboratory features were collected and analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Twelve biomarkers and their ratios in serum and PE were investigated for TPE versus non-TPE. Additionally, the value of multiple indicators for joint diagnosis was estimated.ResultsBiomarkers and ratios showed good diagnostic performance. The five variables including Serum ADA, IGRA, Effusion ADA, Effusion ADA/Serum ADA and Effusion LDH/Effusion ADA were identified as valuable parameters for differential diagnosis of TPE from non-TPE. The combined diagnosis of the five indexes yielded the highest diagnostic accuracy for TPE with an AUC (0.919), sensitivity (90.30%), and specificity (94.50%).ConclusionsThe biomarkers and ratios demonstrated strong diagnostic performance, and the utilization of multiple indicators for joint diagnosis can improve the diagnostic efficacy of tuberculous pleurisy.
Project description:PurposeThis study aimed to investigate whether nighttime elective surgery influenced the short-term outcomes and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.MethodsThe 1,339 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy were divided into the daytime surgery group (8 a.m.-6 p.m., n = 1,105) and the nighttime surgery group (after 6 p.m., n = 234) based on the start time of surgery. The 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to control confounding factors. The short-term outcomes of HCC patients in the 2 groups were compared before and after PSM. Factors associated with major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade, ≥III) and textbook oncologic outcomes (TOO) were separately identified by multivariable logistic regression based on variables screened via least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).ResultsTOO was achieved after surgery in 897 HCC patients. HCC patients in the nighttime surgery group had a higher body mass index (P = 0.010). After 1:2 PSM, the baseline characteristics of patients between the 2 groups were similar. Short-term outcomes in HCC patients were comparable both before and after PSM (all Ps > 0.05), as were TOO in the 2 groups before (P = 0.673) and after PSM (P = 0.333). In our LASSO-logistic regression, nighttime surgery was not an independent factor associated with major complications or TOO. Both groups also had similar OS (P = 0.950) and RFS (P = 0.740) after PSM.ConclusionOur study revealed the safety of nighttime elective hepatectomy for HCC patients.
Project description:Pleural effusion (PE) occurs as a consequence of various pathologies. Malignant effusion due to lung cancer is one of the most frequent causes. Methods for accurate differentiation of malignant from benign PE cases are an unmet clinical need. Proteomics profiling of PE has shown promising results. However, mass spectrometry (MS) analysis typically involves the tedious elimination of abundant proteins before analysis, and clinical annotation of proteomics profiled cohorts is limited. In this study, PE from 97 patients was investigated by applying label-free state-of-the-art liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to find potential novel biomarkers that correlate with immunohistochemistry assessment of tumor biopsy or survival data. The data set consists of 214 LC-MS runs.
Project description:BackgroundCytological examination of pleural fluid has good specificity, but imperfect sensitivity for the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Published estimates of sensitivity vary and predictors of false negative cytology are not well established.AimsTo estimate pleural fluid cytology sensitivity and identify risk factors for false negative cytology.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who had cytology testing of pleural fluid at Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand, from July 2017 to October 2019. Data on clinical and pleural fluid characteristics were collected. MPE was defined by positive pleural fluid cytology, tissue histology or multidisciplinary meeting consensus. We estimated sensitivity of the first pleural cytology assessment. We performed multivariate logistic regression to ascertain patient groups at greatest risk of false negative results.ResultsInitial pleural fluid cytology was diagnostic in 117 of 156 patients, providing a sensitivity (95% confidence interval (CI)) of 75.0% (67.4-81.6%). The sensitivity was 79.0% (66.8-88.3%) for lung cancer, 91.3% (72.0-98.9%) for breast cancer and 33.3% (95% CI 11.8-61.6%) for mesothelioma. Cloudy appearance of pleural fluid (odds ratio (OR) 0.12; 95% CI 0.03-0.54) and yellow/gold pleural fluid (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.06-0.96) reduced the odds of false negative pleural cytology. Pleural thickening on computed tomography scan (OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.2-9.4) was a risk factor for false negative cytology.ConclusionSensitivity of pleural fluid cytology was greatest in primary lung and breast cancer, and lowest in mesothelioma. Clinicians should be alert to false negative results when suspecting mesothelioma or if pleural thickening is present.
Project description:BackgroundPleural effusion is a common presentation in clinical practice. About 40% of exudative pleural effusion is unable to be diagnosed through thoracentesis, and closed pleural biopsy (CPB) is needed. This study was designed to investigate the diagnostic yield of CPB in exudative pleural effusion.MethodsThis was a retrospective 10-year study of patients with unexplained exudative pleural effusion who underwent CPB in two centers. Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) was diagnosed when there was histopathological evidence of pleural tissue, pulmonary tissue, or pleural fluid. Tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) was confirmed when granuloma or coagulative necrosis was observed in pleural tissue, Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining was positive, or adenosine deaminase (ADA) in pleural effusion was higher than 35IU with clinical symptoms of TB orγ-interferon increased with symptoms of TB.ResultsA total of 644 patients were enrolled, of which 479 were specifically diagnosed (217 patients with TPE and 262 patients with MPE). The sensitivity of CPB in the diagnosis of MPE was 51.5%. Among the pathological types of MPE, lung adenocarcinoma accounted for 77.9% (204/262) of cases, making up the largest proportion. The sensitivity of CPB for diagnosing TPE was 68.7%.ConclusionsCPB has a relatively high sensitivity in the diagnosis of exudative pleural fluid, especially in relation to tuberculous lesions. CPB could provide an alternative technique in clinical practice, especially for basic hospital units without thoracoscopy.
Project description:Malignant pleural effusion can complicate most cancers. It causes breathlessness and requires hospitalisation for invasive pleural drainages. Malignant effusions often herald advanced cancers and limited prognosis. Minimising time spent in hospital is of high priority to patients and their families. Various treatment strategies exist for the management of malignant effusions, though there is no consensus governing the best choice. Talc pleurodesis is the conventional management but requires hospitalisation (and substantial healthcare resources), can cause significant side effects, and has a suboptimal success rate. Indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) allow ambulatory fluid drainage without hospitalisation, and are increasingly employed for management of malignant effusions. Previous studies have only investigated the length of hospital care immediately related to IPC insertion. Whether IPC management reduces time spent in hospital in the patients' remaining lifespan is unknown. A strategy of malignant effusion management that reduces hospital admission days will allow patients to spend more time outside hospital, reduce costs and save healthcare resources.The Australasian Malignant Pleural Effusion (AMPLE) trial is a multicentred, randomised trial designed to compare IPC with talc pleurodesis for the management of malignant pleural effusion. This study will randomise 146 adults with malignant pleural effusions (1:1) to IPC management or talc slurry pleurodesis. The primary end point is the total number of days spent in hospital (for any admissions) from treatment procedure to death or end of study follow-up. Secondary end points include hospital days specific to pleural effusion management, adverse events, self-reported symptom and quality-of-life scores.The Sir Charles Gairdner Group Human Research Ethics Committee has approved the study as have the ethics boards of all the participating hospitals. The trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific conferences.Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry-ACTRN12611000567921; National Institutes of Health-NCT02045121.
Project description:PurposeWith increasing life expectancy, the number of elderly patients (≥ 65 years) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has steadily increased. Hepatectomy remains the first-line treatment for HCC patients. However, the prognosis of hepatectomy for elderly patients with HCC remains unclear.MethodsClinical and follow-up data from 1331 HCC patients who underwent surgery between 2008 and 2020 were retrospectively retrieved from a multicentre database. Patients were divided into elderly (≥ 65 years) and non-elderly (< 65 years) groups, and PSM was used to balance differences in the baseline characteristics. The postoperative major morbidity and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of the two groups were compared and the independent factors that were associated with the two study endpoints were identified by multivariable regression analysis.ResultsOf the 1331 HCC patients enrolled in this study, 363 (27.27%) were elderly, while 968 (72.73%) were not. After PSM, 334 matched samples were obtained. In the propensity score matching (PSM) cohort, a higher rate of major morbidity was found in elderly patients (P = 0.040) but the CSS was similar in the two groups (P = 0.087). Multivariate analysis revealed that elderly age was not an independent risk factor associated with high rates of major morbidity (P = 0.117) or poor CSS (P = 0.873). The 1-, 3- and 5-year CSS rates in the elderly and non-elderly groups were 91.0% versus 86.2%, 71.3% versus 68.8% and 55.9% versus 58.0%, respectively. Preoperative alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level, Child‒Pugh grade, intraoperative blood transfusion, extended hemi hepatectomy, and tumour diameter could affect the postoperative major morbidity and preoperative AFP level, cirrhosis, Child‒Pugh grade, macrovascular invasion, microvascular invasion (MVI), satellite nodules, and tumor diameter were independently and significantly associated with CSS.ConclusionAge itself had no significant effect on the prognosis of elderly patients with HCC after hepatectomy. Hepatectomy can be safely performed in elderly patients after cautious perioperative management.
Project description:IntroductionThe differential diagnosis of pleural effusion is difficult, and studies have reported on the potential role of adenosine deaminase (ADA) in the differential diagnosis of undiagnosed pleural effusion. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the diagnostic role of ADA in pleural effusion.Methods266 patients with pleural effusion from three centers were enrolled. The concentrations of ADA and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured in pleural fluids and serum samples of the patients. The diagnostic performance of ADA-based measurement for tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE), malignant pleural effusion (MPE), and parapneumonic effusion (PPE) was examined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ResultsAn area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of 0.909 was obtained using the pleural ADA values as the indicator for TPE identification (sensitivity: 87.50%, specificity: 87.82%). The ratio of serum LDH to pleural ADA (cancer ratio) provided the predictive capacity with an AUC of 0.879 for MPE diagnosis (sensitivity: 95.04%, specificity: 67.06%). At a cut-off value of 14.29, the pleural ADA/LDH ratio showed a sensitivity and specificity of 81.13% and 83.67%, respectively, and a high AUC value of 0.888 for the differential diagnosis of PPE from TPE.ConclusionADA-based measurement is helpful for the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion. Further studies should be performed to validate these results.